PALM BEACH

POWER PLAYER

FLIPPING OUT

Courtney Leidy launches “I’ve always loved jewelry and accessorizing, but in the her fine jewelry line last decade, as the trend with pendants that are reversible towards dainty jewelry became more popular, I found it unaffordable to collect in a and stackable way that made any sort of statement,” explains Courtney Leidy of Courtney Leidy Jewelry. “One dainty bracelet that cost thousands didn’t make an impact unless it was stacked with five 18k yellow gold, turquoise and more dainty bracelets. I was always drawn to more substantial pieces, and it carnelian was this gap in the market that fueled my Double Flip desire to design.” Leidy and her family pendants, $5,050, 18k left New York two years ago for the yellow gold Sunshine State, but for years prior, she chain, $8,400, spent time in the Diamond District to COURTNEY LEIDY JEWELRY, courtneyleidy learn the art of wax carving and jewelry design. “I spent many years exploring .com ideas around different collections and sketching and designing miscellaneous pieces for myself,” she says. “During that time, my challenge was finding a way to focus it all.” When friends started asking her to create pieces for them, a hobby turned into a reality. This March, her pieces were featured at an all-female Jewelry designer designer exhibition, which was hosted by Courtney Leidy The Stax and Sotheby’s Palm Beach.

“Having had one month to pull together my debut collection, I started with a small capsule that I am continuing to build upon,” she says. “I launched with Double Flip Pendants, chains and rings, and will soon be launching mini pendants that can be worn on a chain or on an earring hoop, in addition to ear cuffs, bracelets and anklets. “As much as possible, I’m trying to make each piece multi-functional, so a pendant can be worn as both a necklace or an earring, an ear cuff as a pinky ring, a bracelet as an anklet, and so on.” Inspired by the colors, forms and fluidity of post-war abstract expressionism and Japan’s post-war Gutai art movement—like artist Jiro Yoshihara’s iconic “Circle” paintings—the Post Collection features her signature pendants in a variety of rich-colored cabochon gemstones, shapes and sizes. Set in 18k yellow gold, the Double Flip allows you to wear one single pendant on its own or connect several together to create a truly unique statement piece. The Jiro Ring is an organically-shaped ring fabricated in heavy 18k yellow gold. “I like to mix contrasting textures and finishes, which isn’t commonly seen in contemporary jewelry,” she says. “I think that’s what sets my pieces apart. They’re big and bold, and while you can stack them, each is intended to be a statement piece all on its own.” courtneyleidy.com

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FROM LEFT: The dining room at Akira Back; chef Akira Back EAT HERE NOW.

BACK TO BACK

The bustling Delray Beach has welcomed a dynamic new restaurant to its roster of stellar dining concepts. The Ray Hotel opened its third in-house restaurant, the first led by a Michelin-starred chef in the city. With chef Akira Back at the helm of Akira Back, the luxury dining concept offers modern Japanese cuisine with a cutting-edge twist. Born in Seoul, Back crafted the menu with nods to his Korean heritage through authentic flavors and creative presentation. “We are thrilled to welcome chef Akira Back to The Ray Hotel and believe that his creativity, technique and attention to detail will elevate and bring international attention to the growing dining scene in Delray Beach,” says Craig Menin, founder of Menin Development. “In addition to our signature restaurants, Rosewater and Ember Grill, Akira Back will complete our strong lineup of wellrounded culinary offerings.” The restaurant, designed by Celano Design Studios, features an outdoor seating area, dining room, sushi counter and bar. With statement design details including a dramatic blue stained wood front bar, curved wood trellis structures and banquettes upholstered in custom felted-wool, inspired by a painting by chef Akira’s mom, Young-Hee Back, the posh interiors are not only luxurious but laced with